JapanTheSketch Book Tourof

www.paintingholidays.com.au

with award winning contemporary watercolour &acrylics artist

Craig Penny We sketch and paint our way around famous Kyoto, meet local artists, visit their studios, art galleries explore the preserved streets, gardens, temples and mountain tea plantations that make Kyoto what it is today. Maybe stay in a traditional machiya and do a sumi painting class...

Fully escorted

13 days 12 nights from AU$6450* per person

(single supplement available) See our website for details.*Rates include accommodation and some meals, all entry and land transport

listed in the itinerary. Airfares and travel insurance are not included. *Rates

are subject to seasonal variations.

Sketch Book tour dates

2 - 13 November 20151 - 14 November 2016

www.paintingholidays.com.auAll enquiries: (+613) 9879 1923 m/sms: 0437 126 360 glen

A Painters Signature Holiday

Temples, geishaand character filled shrines

Painters with a passion of all levels with a sense of adventure will enjoy this experience. Small groups of 12 - 16 persons stay in 4 Star quality traditional style accommodation or with options to experience machiya houses with all the hotelammenities you would expect.

The Sketch Book Tour of JapanIntroductionAn artist’s dream holiday and a classic adventure that we think would inspire Van Gogh. Many of the impressionists from the late 19th and early 20th century were directly in�uenced and inspired by classic Japanese art. Join us and you will see why. We start in the great food city of Osaka before moving to the world famous arts and cultural center of Japan, Kyoto.

OsakaOsaka (大阪) is the working heart of Kansai. Famous for its down-to-earth citizens and the colourful Kansai-ben (Kansai dialect) they speak, it's a good counterpart to the re�ned atmosphere of Kyoto. First and foremost, Osaka is famous for good eating with a wide selection of food classics like udon noodles at Imai Honten or dine in a more relaxed style around Dōtombori Arcade. We visit famous Osaka Castle, a short walk away and beyond is the heart of Osaka along the river and its island we explore with our artist seeking out some great urban sketching, gardens and preserved buildings. We discover the subways when we visit the Museum of Ancient Farm Houses, its beautiful gardens are a peaceful retreat from the city sprawl - a great adventure.

Kyoto is “old Japan” writ largeQuiet temples, sublime gardens, colourful shrines and geisha scurrying to secret liaisons. The Old Town areas have preserved the unique buildings and Japanese merchant houses, temples, shrines and ancient tea houses. These can be found alongside more modern shops and city buildings and in alleyways city wide. At night colourful lanterns light up the streets in some of the temple areas. We explore many of the famous entertain-ment areas and sketch our way around town, along the ancient alleyways taking in the original old style machiyas (old houses), laneways and preserved streets. Explore the famous Kamo river and Geisha district and boating through Arashiyma’s autumn scenery - there is so much more to experience.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Itinerary - OsakaDay 1 Monday 2 Nov - Arrival & Welcome Dinner Arrive at Osaka International Airport (NIX) and we meet you and transfer to your accommodation by Limousine bus and taxi. Settle in and meet up for a Welcome dinner around 7pm at the Hotel’s Keyaki, Teppan Grill Japanese style Restaurant.

Day 2 Tuesday 3 Nov - Japanese Farm House Museum and SubwayAfter breakfast we meet to experience the subway train system to the Musuem of Ancient Japanese Farm Houses walking through the gardens, stopping in the Tea house for a traditional tea break and some sketching as we go. Stroll throught the gardens before heading back to the hotel for a late lunch. After lunch join Craig for some urban sketching by the river. Evening at leisure.(This evening Craig, Glen and Mayumi invite you to join us for some udon noodles at Imai Honten or maybe we can dine in a more relaxed style around Dōtombori Arcade.)

Day 3 Wednesday 4 Nov - Osaka Castle (Osaka-jō) and sketching in a urban ShrineToday will be an amazing day. We leave after an early breakfast to visit Osaka Castle with our guides for a walk-ing tour of the castle. We stop for a co�ee break before heading out to the centre of Osaka city to Tsuyunoten shrine surrounded by tall buildings for some urban sketching and a short walk to Osaka Station and some shopping maybe at Diamaru for everything or Tokyu Hands for art materials, gadgets, cute stationery. We take a cab back to the hotel around 2pm. Evening at leisure.

Itinerary - Kyoto

Day 4 Thursday 5 Nov - Visit Local Artists Studio & Wazuka Tea PlantationsToday we transfer to Kyoto. We send our luggage to our Kyoto hotel so pack an overnight bag and your sketch-ing things for today only. After breakfast we head out to visit a wonderful and accomplished local artist at his studio in rural Kyoto amid the tea plantations. We stop at the gallery and meet and greet our host and refresh with a cup of tea before launching into sketching around the village with Craig. Our local artist will take us to several of his “inspiration points” in the surrounding area for sketching. We stop for a late luncheon in Wazuka township and farewell our host before travelling to our hotel in Kyoto. (*Please note our luggage will arrive at the hotel tomorrow). Evening at leisure.

Day 5 Friday 6 Nov - Nishiki Market & Kamo River and ancient alleyways Another earlier start and the best time of day to explore the famous Nishiki Market. We head o� straight after breakfast on a walking/talking tour with our guide Mayumi who will show us all the delights to be had at this famous food market. We have a co�ee break in a groovy little cafe and then join Craig for sketching along the Kamo river and traditional backstreets with 17th century houses, historic buildings, shops and teahouses as we wend our way back to the hotel. We are back around 2pm. Evening at leisure.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Itinerary - KyotoDay 6 Saturday 7 Nov - Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and the Philosopher’s Walk We are up early and leave by 8.30am. Bring your sketch pads and your camera. We are visiting the “Silver Pavil-ion” to catch it at its best in the early morning light. Then o� to the ”Philosopher’s Walk” a 1.5 klm walk along a canal that passes through villages and suburban streets with a lovely autumn aspect throughout the walk. We stop for morning refreshments in a lovely little cafe along the way. There are shops and little galleries and several temples if you are in the mood. Craig will stop for sketching along the walk and we �nish near Kyoto Arts Museum to catch a taxi back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 7 Sunday 8 Nov - Free dayThis is a Free day. Our guide has many tours to o�er you if you would like to book something for this day please refer to our list of what is available. (*Please note these tours are not part of our itinerary and will be an extra cost. Book ahead for what is available day by day throughout the tour.

Day 8 Monday 9 Nov - Sumi Painting class and Fushimi Shrine After breakfast we catch a taxi to Fushimi Shrine to experience one of the very popular temples in the area. My fortune teller I hope is there and you can get your palm read as well. After experiencing the “Torii Gates” and temple gardens we walk a short way for a cafe or tea break before meeting our second feature local artist Saori who will introduce us to “sumi” style painting and all the traditions that surround it. She has a studio and art shop and will conduct a lesson providing all the materials. Craig is keen to do some sketching here in the urban streets as they are quite a treat. A wonderfully creative afternoon before we catch a taxi back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Day 9 Tuesday 10 Nov - Arashiyama Boat Adventure and famous Bamboo ForestO� to an early start today. Great things await us. The autumn colour is a key feature of this mountain area and a big local tourist attraction. We start the day travelling to our 2 hour adventure boat ride down Hozugawa River to Togetsui Bridge where we �nish. A real treat. We have a short walk to get a light lunch maybe do some sketching of the bridge or local gardens and houses before we head o� to Tenryu-ji Temple and visit its great gardens, feed the huge golden carp and walk through to the Bamboo forest - another popular location.We head back down to Togetsui Bridge for a look around and taxi back to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Itinerary - KyotoDay 10 Wednesday 11 Nov - Kinkaku-ji the famed Golden PavilionYes we have saved the best to last. Today we have a late start as we want to catch the last golden rays of sunshine on this beautiful temple so linger over breakfast if you like. Craig will take us out sketching along Kamo river and surrounding areas and be back by 2pm as we head o� to “capture the light” at this wonderful temple. It is worth the wait and has beautiful gardens. Evening at leisure.

Day 11 Thursday 12 NovThis is a Free day. 7pm - we have our Farewell Dinner for the group.Our guide has many tours to o�er you if you would like to book something for this day please refer to our list of what is available. (*Please note these tours are not part of our itinerary and will be an extra cost. Book ahead for what is available day by day throughout the tour.

Day 12 Friday 13 Nov - Transfer to your �ightsTransfer to Osaka International Airport (NIX) for your �ight by luxury limousine coach from JR Kyoto Station.

*Please be advised that this is our proposed itinerary and may be subject to change due to variations in availbility of resources and weather conditions that may e�ect our schedule.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Award Winning Artist

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Craig Penny www.craigpennyart.com.au Award winning Australian artist, Craig Penny is an experienced practicing artist with a reputation for quality contemporary landscape and cityscapes throughout Australia. EXHIBITIONS & AWARDSCraig has been exhibiting successfully since 1999 in solo and joint exhibitions around Australia, Singapore and USA. He is displayed and represented in a range of private collections and galleries throughout Australia, Singapore, Cambodia and USA. Craig has awards for traditional and contemporary watercolors and acrylics.

Craig’s career has progressed into a range of mediums including skills in computer graphics. As a result Craig has also undertaken a successful career in teaching both traditional drawing, illustration and digital illustration at both Victoria University and Swinburne University. Throughout this time, he never lost his love of using traditional methods and has specialized in Watercolor and Acrylic Painting and illustration.

Paints and Supplies

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Craig’s Materials listCraig recommends you include tubes/pans of the following colors: Titanium White acrylic, Cobalt Blue, Prussian Blue, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Hookers Green or Viridian Green, Dioxin Purple, Australian Sienna, Burnt Umber. Others you might consider: Pthalo Blue, Cerulean Blue, Yellow Ochre, Terre Verde, Indian Red, Raw Umber, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna and of course there are many more.Water Color Travel sets and a Travel Diary are a convenient way to sketch plein air when travelling. There are wonderful travel diaries available, this is a great way to remember your holidaysBrushes: We suggest you bring an assortment of your favorite watercolor and acrylic brushes.Papers: Arches medium cold press Watercolor pads (A2 or A3 size) are easy to manage and �t �at in your suitcase, highly portable and very convenient for on site sketching prior to taking a piece to the studio to paint a �nished piece.Pastels : A great way to paint the temples.Graphite Pencils: Bring a good range of 2B to 6B pencils sharpeners and erasers for your useColored Pencils, Pastel Pencils, Watercolor Pencils: Great mediums that can enhance your paintings or become �nished pieces in their own right. Again easy to transport light and compact when travelling.Disposable Palette: Plastic or paper disposable palettes are easy to manage, light and compact.Easel: easels, support boards and masking tape are available at the studio.

Travel TipPack supplies into a plastic sealable bag for travelling in your suitcase - not hand luggage. There is no requirement to declare these good to airline or other baggage or �ight sta�.

Quality 4 Star Hotels & Traditional Riverside MachiyaIn Osaka we choose to stay in quality 4 Star hotels close within easy reach of our tour destinations, food, shopping and night life. All accommodation includes good quality restaurants, bars and lounges, some have a pool and excercise facilities, massage and beauty salons. Rooms include �at-screen televisions and contemporary bathrooms throughout along with all the room ammenities you would expect.

KyotoLocated very close to the famous “Geisha” district and night life along the Kamo riverside our 4 Star Hotel has great commanding views of the cityscape and country side. Located close by is shopping, restaurants, night life and dining precincts as well as Temples that light up at night with street markets and entertainment everywhere you look. We o�er the opportunity to stay in a stylish renovated “machiya” or traditional style townhouse for two up to 6 persons for a night and experience a di�erent side of Kyoto. See our booking page for details.

*Please note The accommodation displayed on this page is our �rst preference. Accommodation may vary subject to availability at the time of booking for the Painting Holiday dates. Accommodation bookings are con�rmed prior to �nal payment (two months before we leave). Alternative accommodation venues that may be selected will be to a similar standard - Painting Holidays

Accommodation

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

Important stuffHoliday Costs Painting Holiday rates are in AUD$ per person for the Holiday itinerary described in this document and do not include airfares or travel and costs other than those included in the itinerary.

AccommodationWe choose to stay in 4 Star Boutique style accommodation that has a traditional �avour to it. All rooms have quality modern ammenities and an ensuite with access to WIFI or internet. Additional nights may be available; please advise us as early as possible if you wish to book early arrival or late stay nights. Autumn is high season in Japan for local and international tourists. We cannot guarantee accommodation if it is not booked early.

Inclusions• Daily tuition by international watercolour and acrylics artist and tutor Craig Penny• Airport arrival and departure transfers• Accommodation (twin share rate or singles available) in boutique 4 Star Hotels• Daily breakfast and Welcome & Farewell dinners• Other meals including lunches and morning breaks where listed as being provided part of a tour or outing.• Entry to all Temples and Shrines• Private tours fully guided by our professional japanese guide fully. • Sketching & sightseeing walking tours of the old alleyways and preserved streets per the itinerary.• Morning local market guided walking tour with Mayumi• Visit an very old shrines to sketch and draw• Night market festivities by the river• Daily sketching workshops and tuition with reviews• All transport, studio visits, galleries, tips and locations included on the final itinerary.• Visit to a local artists studio and gallery space with our artist• Listed sessions of tuition and mentoring in sketching classes and groups. What is not included• Travel arrangements not specified in the itinerary.• Airfares• Airport, passport and visa fees and taxes. Visas for Japan should be obtained before leaving as necessary• Additional tours or outings offered that are not included as part of the itinerary.• Personal transport not included in the itinerary.• Art materials including paints, brushes, papers and other consumables.• Drinks and meals not included in the itinerary.• Travel and Medical insurance - To join the tour we require that you are covered by insurance that covers you for travel and medical emergencies and ask that you provide a copy of your travel insurance documents, pass-port number and expiry date and an emergency contact person prior to departure.

Your Health and other precautionsWe suggest you see your doctor before you leave. Check with your GP about any vaccinations they might recommend. International standard hospitals, medical clinics, chemists and dental facilities are available if required. Please advise us if you are taking any medications while you are on holidays.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan

More important stuffWeatherOne of the best times to visit Kyoto, and Japan for that matter, is in the fall during the foliage season. On aver-age, the leaves in the Kyoto area start to change colors at the end of October and the middle of November. It is truly amazing to see Japanese temples, many of which are set in the lush foresty hills, in the kaleidoscope of fall colors. The contrast of the bright yellow and scarlet leaves and the blue sky just adds to the romance.

The temperature is mild and pleasant, and it can range from 12°C to 20°C (around 50°F to 70°F). The days are sunny, and the rainy season is long gone (Japan's summers are considered as a wet season). At night, the temperature drops, though not drastically, so do come prepared for colder evenings. The foliage season is considered a high season for travellers.

MoneyThe local currency in Japan is Japanese Yen. Rates are available at money exchanges banks travel agents and online for your currency. Our rates are all quoted in AUD$ for fees and services. Japanese Yen is required to be used whilst in Japan and foreign currencies can be exchanged at local banks and possibly our hotel. ATM’s are available however many are local only so �nding ATMs that o�er international services can be a bit tricky. Many banks have facilities and 7 Bank (7 Eleven stores) is quite handy

Visas, Passports & CostsJapan has recipricol agreements with many nations including Australia, USA, UK and many more so that a visa is not required for tourist visits for up to 90 days. Please check with your countries Japanese embassy website for details or with your travel agent. Your passport must have a mini-mum of 6 months validity.

AirlinesWe meet you on arrival and transfers are by Limousine coach to Osaka Umeda station where you are again met and transfer to our hotel.Transfer is approximately 90 minutes from Osaka airport and then approx 15 minutes to the hotel.

Minimum Numbers and Alteration to Holiday Rates Each Painting Holiday has been priced on the basisof a minimum number of guests travelling. In the event that fewer than the minimum numberof guests have con�rmed their booking 60 days fromthe date of commencement or there is an unforeseenrate change in the cost of travel and accommodationservices, Painting Holidays reserves the right to o�eralternative arrangements to proceed with the Holiday at a modi�ed price or cancel the Holiday, giving a full refund of monies paid.

TheSketch Book Tourof Japan